Better wear a fleece

Forecasters have warned one or two centimetres of snow could fall on low-lying land in the early part of the day, giving way to heavy rain later on.

The outlook is worse for higher ground, with drivers advised to be prepared for wintry conditions in the Pennines.

Scotland is set to be hit by the worst of the weather, with as much as 25 centimetres (10 inches) of snow forecast in higher regions.

Motorists were left stranded and thousands of homes were without power after heavy snow north of the border yesterday. And the forecast is for a wet Easter weekend in northern England, with a chance of some sleet showers in places.

A band of rain is predicted to hit Yorkshire on Friday afternoon, clearing overnight and being replaced by unsettled conditions with a risk of sleet and snow showers on higher land.